“What are they?” Sora stared into the squirming mass of grunting, wriggling little creatures that O’Bryan was trying to tuck back inside his shirt.
He looked up at her and grinned. “They’re Terrier puppies!”
“Oh, Goddess. More canines?”
“Sora, are you telling me you’ve never seen a puppy?” O’Bryan asked, looking at her as if she’d just said she’d never seen sunlight.
“Did you hit your head escaping from the fire or are you just simple?” Sora frowned at him. “You know very well that I’ve never seen a puppy before. Well, unless you count Rigel, and I think of him as more creature than puppy.” Her frown deepened and she pointed her chin to where Captain was sitting beside Sheena. “Are they going to get as big as that giant version of Rigel over there?”
O’Bryan laughed heartily. “No! Rigel and Captain are Shepherds, Leader canines. These little guys are Terriers, or Hunter canines. They’ll only get about as big as Fala.”
“The little black canine who’s resting over there with Rose?” Sora asked before having to turn away to cough. When her gaze found O’Bryan’s again, he was watching her contemplatively. “What?” She did nothing to hide the annoyance in her voice.
“Are you okay? That cough sounds bad, and you look, well, pale except for those bruises. Did someone hurt you?”
Sora had a sharp reply ready—something about it being none of a Companion’s business what was what with her or any other Earth Walker, but O’Bryan’s expression was honestly concerned. Her sigh ended in another hacking cough, and she had to force herself not to scratch at her skin, which was feeling tight and strange, especially at the creases in her elbows and wrists. “I was attacked yesterday. I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“If I’m not, are you ready to step up and be Healer for all of these people?”
“I’m pretty sure you and Mari are much better at that than me,” O’Bryan said.
“Well, then I’ll rest when everyone has been treated, fed, and safe. Now, you were explaining to me about these baby canines.” She nodded at the knot of puppies he was carrying. “They’re going to look like that little black creature with Rose, and not like Rigel?”
O’Bryan nodded. “Yep. Rose’s Fala is their mother. Here, take one. They’re friendly.” He pulled one by the scruff of her neck from inside his shirt and handed her to Sora.
She took the pup automatically. Then Sora just stood there, holding her by the scruff of her neck as she kicked her four little legs and started to whine in complaint.
“It doesn’t like me.” She tried to hand the pup back to O’Bryan.
“She doesn’t know whether to like or dislike you. Don’t dangle her like that. It’s okay to pick them up by their scruff when they’re young, but not particularly comfortable for them to be held that way. She needs to feel secure. Hold her close to you. Like this.” O’Bryan demonstrated by pulling another puppy from inside his shirt and then cradling it, infant-like, against his body.
Sora looked up at him, her expression clearly saying that she wanted to toss the pup back to him.
“Go ahead, Sora. Hold her close. I want to see what happens.” Isabel had quietly come to stand a little behind Sora and was peeking over her shoulder at the wriggling puppy.
With a sigh and a stifled cough, Sora cupped the squirming little creature in her hands, holding her close to her body as she would a baby. The pup instantly quieted and then turned her little face up, sniffing curiously at Sora.
Sora sniffed back at the pup. She glanced at O’Bryan in surprise. “It smells nice.”
“Yes, she does,” O’Bryan said.
“Does she have a name?” Isabel asked.
“No. Or rather, yes, she probably does know her name already, but we won’t know it until she chooses her Companion. Then her new Companion will announce her name to the Tribe.”
“When do they choose?” Sora asked, ready to give the puppy back to O’Bryan if he said she was ready to choose anytime. The last thing she needed was a baby canine to look after!
“Pups begin choosing their Companions right around the time they’re weaned.” Seeing the question mark expressions on the two young women’s faces, he explained, “That’s usually when they’re about eight weeks old. They rarely choose that early, though. And also usually no later than when they turn six months old.”
“How old is she?” Sora asked, running her finger down the soft fur of the puppy’s back.
“Almost two weeks old. Her eyes just opened not long ago,” Davis said.
“Puppies are born with closed eyes?” Isabel asked.
“Yep, they are,” O’Bryan said.
“And this little canine will really tell a person her name?” Isabel seemed more intrigued than shocked as she slowly reached out a finger to stroke the top of the puppy’s head.
“Oh yes, absolutely,” O’Bryan said.
“You mean, she’ll talk?” Isabel said the last words in a voice hushed with shock.
“Sort of—but not aloud. When she chooses her Companion, they’ll share a bond that’s more intimate than mere words,” O’Bryan explained.
“I’m not surprised. Rigel tells Mari all sorts of crazy things. Do you know that creature is absolutely insane about leather balls? Mari started making these strange ball-things for him because he loves chasing them so much. I asked her how she knew he’d like them, and she said he told me he would.” Sora looked pointedly at O’Bryan. “So you’re saying that’s normal?”
O’Bryan’s smile was genuine and warm. “Completely normal.”
Sora thought he wasn’t too terrible looking for a Tribesman, though he was awfully tall and blond—which was weird, but she’d already started to get used to the physical strangeness of Companions because of Nik.
“May I hold one?” Isabel asked tentatively.
“Of course!” O’Bryan was pulling another pup from his shirt when Rose and Fala joined them.
“Is there something wrong with the pups?” Rose was at O’Bryan’s side in an instant, running her hands over the pups he was holding and eyeing the one Sora was still holding—awkwardly—as Isabel ducked her head and began to turn away.
“The pups are perfect,” O’Bryan assured Rose hastily. “Isabel, wait.” She paused and he continued. “Don’t go. I’m sure Rose won’t mind you holding one of them.”
Sora saw him exchange a look with Rose, who let out a long breath and nodded before turning to Isabel. “I don’t mind if you want to hold one of Fala’s pups.”
Hesitantly, Isabel moved to O’Bryan’s side. She sent a nervous smile to Rose. “Thank you. I’ll be very careful. I’ve never seen a puppy before.”
Rose took the pup from O’Bryan and held him out to Isabel. “Just remember not to hold him too tightly or too loosely. Treat him as you would a human infant. Let him know he’s safe with you.”
Isabel nodded. “I understand.” Moving slowly and carefully, she took the pup and then cradled him close to her chest. Sora watched her look down at him as the pup looked up at her. He lifted himself, putting his little paws on her chest and sticking his nose on Isabel’s chin, sniffing and then licking her as Isabel began to giggle.
Sora glanced around them and saw that everyone was watching Isabel. She thought she saw looks of disgust cross a few of the Earth Walkers’ faces, but mostly Sora saw curiosity, even some longing. She shrugged mentally—well, they are baby animals, and babies are hard to resist.
Sora handed the little girl puppy back to O’Bryan, but not before petting her silky black fur and staring into her bright, happy-looking eyes.
“Are your burns less painful since I put the aloe salve on them, Rose?” Sora asked, feeling much more confident as a Healer than as a puppy holder.
Rose nodded. “They are. Thank you.”
“Good. That means Lydia’s burns will be more bearable, too.” She raised her voice and called, “We’ve rested long enough. The birthing burrow isn’t far from here. Next time we stop it will be for the night.”
“May I carry the puppy for a little while?” Isabel asked Rose. “I’ll walk with you and O’Bryan if that’s okay.”
Rose nodded. “I suppose. But show him to Fala first so that she knows he’s safe with you.”
“Of course,” Isabel said before crouching down with the puppy held carefully in her arms. Shyly, she began talking to the adult canine. “Hello, Mother. I’d like to carry your baby, and I give you my word that I will be careful.” She held the puppy out so that the Terrier could sniff him, which she did, and then Sora was surprised to see the black canine sniffing at Isabel, too. Isabel held very still—Sora didn’t think the girl was even breathing. Then the canine licked Isabel’s hand and yipped once before padding to Rose’s side.
“Did I do okay?” Isabel asked Rose.
Rose actually smiled at the girl. “You did. Fala trusts you to keep her pup safe.”
“He is safe with me! I promise you he is,” Isabel said.
“I’ll help Sarah and Lydia up,” Sora said. She called to one of the older Earth Walkers who she knew would be able to follow the trail to the birthing burrow. “Jancita, please lead.”
Jancita bowed respectfully to Sora. The older woman moved stiffly—as did many of the Earth Walkers. Several of them were coughing continuously, and Sora wished for what seemed like the thousandth time that Mari had stayed with them. Mari would know whether the coughs were because, like Sora, their immune systems had been overtaxed and they were sick or the smoke had injured their lungs, or were they coughing because the women had taken in too much water from their Channel swim and were now at risk for pneumonia?
Sora tried to keep her expression neutral as she helped the two Companions to their feet. The sisters were in bad shape and getting worse. Lydia’s burns were serious, worse even than the wounds that covered Rose’s back. Sora had spread the aloe gel liberally on the ugly, weeping burns, but she could do little else for the girl until they got to shelter. The other sister, Sarah, had an ankle that was going to need splinting, medication for pain, and a good, long rest.
We’re all going to need a good, long rest, Sora thought as she turned away, coughing and scratching at her elbow crease. She wiped her mouth again, and her gaze traveled over the ragtag group. The other two Companions, Sheena and O’Bryan, had minor injuries. But they were Companions, and soon they would know exactly where the Weaver Clan’s birthing burrow was located. Mari, what were you thinking when you let them come with you? Sora sighed. She knew what Mari had been thinking. She was a Healer, just as her mother had been. It was in Mari’s blood to help people.
“I’ll take the lead now. Thank you, Jancita.” Sora touched the woman’s arm, and she fell back with the group. Sora looked over her shoulder, cleared the phlegm from her throat, and raised her voice so that they could all hear her. “I’m going to walk faster. I know it’ll be hard for you to keep up, but it’s close to sunset and we cannot be caught in the forest after dark.”
Grimly, Earth Walkers and Companions picked up the pace, limping and staggering but keeping up with Sora.
Sora focused on continuing forward and on being irritated about how terrible she felt. Her eyes burned. Her stomach ached. And, worst of all, her skin felt hot and tight and itchy. Goddess, she hated being sick!
“You look angry.” Sora jumped as O’Bryan’s voice came from close beside her. “Sorry,” he added quickly. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I just didn’t know you were walking so close. I would have thought I’d have heard you, what with all those little creatures you’re carrying around.” She cocked her head as she studied him. “Are you a midwife for canines?”
O’Bryan’s bark of laughter startled the puppies he was carrying tucked under his shirt, and he had to cuddle them quiet before he answered Sora. “No, nothing like that. I’m just a Tribesman, and canines, especially babies who are still so vulnerable, are important to us.”
“Oh. Hm. I suppose that makes sense.…” She paused and then added, “And I’m not angry. I’m sick, which is highly annoying. And I’m worried,” Sora said, and then wondered why she felt the need to explain anything to this Companion.
“Worried about what?” he asked.
She snorted. “Let’s see—” Sora held up her hand, ticking off fingers. “The forest is on fire. There are a bunch of wounded people with me—some of them wounded pretty badly. I have no idea when or if Mari is going to return. I don’t have the supplies I need at the birthing burrow. I don’t have the food I need at the birthing burrow. And I’m leading our enemies into the heart of our Clan. There are other, lesser things that are worrying me, but those are the biggies.”
“Would you like to carry a puppy?”
Sora looked at O’Bryan closely, wondering for the second time if perhaps he was simple. “Why would I like to carry a puppy?”
His grin made him look boyish. “Why wouldn’t you like to carry a puppy?” Before she could protest, he lifted one from under his shirt and handed her to Sora.
She took the puppy, realizing as she peered up at Sora with her shining black eyes that she was the same little girl she’d held before. “So, you’re back,” she told the pup. The little girl Terrier opened her mouth and yipped happily at Sora before half rolling, half flopping on her back and exposing her fat belly. Sora looked at O’Bryan, one brow lifted in a question.
“Puppies like their bellies scratched.”
“Oh, well, um…” Sora stared down at the pup, who was still lying splay legged in the crook of her arm. Hesitantly, Sora used her index finger to gently scratch the Terrier’s soft, plump belly.
The puppy began to wag her tiny tail so excitedly that most of her body wriggled along with it, and she made happy little grunting noises. Sora couldn’t help but smile. She traced her finger up to the pup’s chest, enjoying the soft warmth of her black fur.
“Hey, look at this. I thought she was all black, but there’s a splotch of blond on her chest. It looks like a perfect crescent moon,” Sora said, tracing the light spot with her finger.
O’Bryan looked over her shoulder and his pleasant face broke into a delighted grin. “I didn’t notice that before, either. I thought all the pups were solid black, but this little girl has been marked as special.”
“Special?”
O’Bryan nodded. “When a dark-colored pup is born with a light spot on him or her, that is a sign of favor from the Sun. The Tribe calls it being sun-kissed. We believe it portends greatness.” He gave the pup a scratch under her chin. “Wonderful things will happen to this little girl.”
“Sun-kissed, huh? That’s a pretty name,” Sora said.
“It’s not her real name. We won’t know that until she chooses a Companion and tells him or her,” O’Bryan said.
“To me she’ll always be Sun-Kissed.”
The pup yawned mightily, then squirmed farther up into the crook of her arm, buried her face in Sora’s armpit, and went instantly to sleep.
“She’s sleeping. Again. Is something wrong with her?” Sora whispered, not wanting to alert Rose.
“No, nothing at all. Puppies sleep. A lot. It’s a blessing, really, because they can be exhausting to try to keep out of trouble.”
“Don’t I know it? I’ve been living with Mari and her creature. Do you know Rigel will actually eat twigs and chew rocks if you let him?”
“Yes, well, that’s just one reason it’s a blessing young canines need to sleep a lot. They tend to get into things they shouldn’t when they’re awake.”
“He’ll eat my freshly baked bread if I don’t keep an eye on him, too. He’s really gotten good at sneaking around quietly when he thinks I’m not watching,” Sora said.
“Don’t ever forget they’re as smart as we are—they’re just a different kind of smart,” O’Bryan said.
“Really?” She looked down at the soft, warm little creature sleeping so trustingly against her body. “That smart?”
“Really. In some ways they’re smarter than humans. They can smell layers of scents we can’t, and they can distinguish the scents from each other, even when they’re mixed.”
“You mean Rigel could identify all the ingredients in a salve I’ve made?”
“Absolutely,” O’Bryan assured her.
“Huh. That’s interesting. I’m definitely going to talk to Mari about putting him to good use when they get back. I mean, if he can identify what all is in a salve, then why can’t he search out and find each of the ingredients for me—or Mari?” Sora said, stroking the sleeping puppy absently.
“He can, but a Terrier would be even better at it. They’re Hunters, used to relying on their noses even more than the Shepherds.”
“I don’t understand how those big Shepherd canines can live up in the trees with you. Look at Captain.” Sora jerked her head toward where Captain and Sheena were walking beside Lydia and Sarah. “He’s enormous. How can he possibly climb a tree?”
O’Bryan stifled a laugh. Though his eyes were sparkling with subdued humor, he answered Sora as if he enjoyed teaching her about his Tribe. “Our canines don’t have to climb trees. The Tribe has created a lift system so that none of us have to climb trees. We also have ropes and pulleys all around the city. It’s much easier to rappel with a canine strapped across your back than you’d think it would be—even an adult Shepherd.”
“Rappel? I don’t even know what that word means.”
“It’s a quicker way of getting up and down—especially down—from the city. It’s hard to explain without showing. If you’d like, I could show you sometime.”
Sora’s gaze caught his. “I won’t be going to your city. Ever.”
O’Bryan’s perpetual smile slid from his face like tallow from a melting candle. “I can show you anywhere, really. All I need is a good length of strong, thick rope and an anchor. I could rig a demonstration pretty easily. It wouldn’t be like in my city, but I could still make it so that you understand what it means to rappel.”
Sora hated that she’d taken the smile from his face—and then she was annoyed at herself for caring whether the Companion smiled at all.
“I doubt if you’ll be with us long enough to show me much of anything,” Sora said. “Here, take her back. I need to check on the group.” She didn’t really want to give the puppy back to O’Bryan, but she made herself do it anyway, though the baby whined and seemed to struggle, if only for a moment, to get back to her.
“I hope she made you feel better. Even if it was just for a little while,” O’Bryan said, his smile returning to lift the corners of his lips. “We say that pups are good for the soul.”
Thunder boomed in the distance, and then the sky broke open and rain began to pour down on them.
“Thank the Sun!” O’Bryan said reverently.
“This weather is going to help with stopping your fire, but it’s definitely not going to help our wounded,” Sora said.
“Do you always look at the negative in everything?” O’Bryan asked her.
“I’m not negative. I’m honest.” Sora had meant to tell O’Bryan that compared to Mari, she was an overachieving optimist, but a thrashing in the brush broke off her words.
The Earth Walker staggered onto the trail in front of them. Sora gasped in shock at the man’s appearance. He was filthy and covered with dried blood and strange-looking wounds. He looked up and captured Sora in his pain-wracked gaze.
“Moon Woman. Help me.” He fell to his knees, still looking up beseechingly at Sora.
O’Bryan didn’t hesitate. He turned to Sora, handing the pups he’d been carrying to her as he pushed her behind him and pulled a long knife from his waist.
“Get out of here or I’ll kill you!”
Sora wasn’t sure what was more shocking, that sweet, smiling O’Bryan had morphed into a killer Companion right before her eyes or that the Earth Walker who was begging for her help was Jaxom—the same young man who had attacked and tried to rape her just two days before.
“I know him,” Sora said, putting her hand on O’Bryan’s arm. “Don’t hurt him. Or at least don’t hurt him yet.”
There was movement behind Sora, and then Sheena with Captain growling beside her, and Rose with little Fala also growling a warning, had joined her and O’Bryan. Both women were also holding knives at the ready.
Sora made her decision fast. “Here, take them!” She transferred the pups to Rose, and then she told Sheena and O’Bryan, “Stay close to me. He might be dangerous because he’s been sick, but he’s an old friend.”
Sora approached Jaxom.
The young man’s head had lolled down. He was breathing heavily, and Sora could see that his body was trembling.
“Jaxom, do you know me?”
His head lifted slowly. He blinked his eyes clear of sweat and tears. “Sora.” His voice was like gravel. “You are Moon Woman. Help me.”
Sora stared into his eyes. She saw pain and confusion there, but none of the madness she’d seen when he and two others had attacked her. He didn’t look like her Jaxom, the young man she’d almost decided to claim as her mate, but he also didn’t look like a monster.
“Can you walk?” she asked him.
“Will try,” he said.
“You’ll have to do better than try, but you don’t have far to walk.” She opened an outside flap of her satchel and pulled a length of tightly braided hemp rope from it. Then she met his gaze steadily. “I’ll help you, but I’m going to tie your hands, and this Companion is going to take the end of the rope. Jaxom, if you get violent I will let him kill you.”
“I understa—” Jaxom began, and then his body shuddered horribly, his eyes rolled to show their whites, and the wounded man passed out.
Sora sighed and went to Jaxom’s still body, feeling for his pulse, which was there but beating entirely too fast.
“Is it smart to take him with us? Males are always violent,” Sheena said.
“No, they’re not.” Sora spoke as she began tying his outstretched hands, wrists together. “It’s only at night that they’re violent, and then the violence is directed at themselves, unless you’re trying to kill them or steal a member of their family to be your slave.” She finished tying him and then faced the three Companions who were frowning at her. “His name is Jaxom. He’s wounded and sick, and he hasn’t been healed in a long time. I’m going to help him—we’re going to help him.”
“But he’s unconscious. How’s he going to come with us?” O’Bryan asked.
Sora arched one brow at O’Bryan. “Well, you said it was much easier than I thought to carry a grown Shepherd across your back as you rappel up and down from your city. Jaxom doesn’t look like he could weigh much more than Captain weighs.”
“Yes, but—” O’Bryan began.
“Unless you’re not strong enough?” Sora said, her lips lifting.
“I’m strong enough,” O’Bryan said quickly.
“That’s exactly what I thought.” Sora tossed O’Bryan the end of Jaxom’s rope and called back to the group, “We’re almost home. Let’s get out of this rain!”